Where is HIV harbored in the body?

• A. Lymph tissue
• B. Blood plasma
• C. Muscle tissue
• D. Skin

Answer: (A)

HIV establishes reservoirs in lymphoid tissue, especially in lymph nodes and gut-associated lymphoid tissue. The virus primarily infects CD4+ T cells, and memory T cells in these tissues provide long-lived homes where HIV can integrate its DNA and persist in a latent form. This reservoir allows the virus to survive despite antiretroviral therapy and can reignite viremia if treatment is interrupted. While virus can be detected in blood plasma during active infection, that reflects circulating virus rather than the main long-term harboring site. Muscle and skin are not major reservoirs for HIV.